Humana Welcomes Home Vietnam Veterans with Pinning Ceremonies

From small towns to large cities across the nation, 2.7 million young Americans were sent more than 8,000 miles from home to serve in the Vietnam War. After returning to the states, many Vietnam veterans weren’t welcomed home publicly or recognized for serving their country.

Humana works to make sure all Vietnam War-era service members receive the warm welcome and recognition they deserve. For several years, Humana has conducted pinning ceremonies nationwide to honor and thank Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice.

In 2012, President Barack Obama and Congress established the Vietnam War Commemoration program to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The 13-year-long Vietnam War Commemoration enlists Commemorative Partner organizations at the local, state and national levels to conduct pinning events and activities that honor 6.2 million Vietnam War-era veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of duty location, and their 9 million family members.

Humana is a Commemorative Partner and has participated in pinning ceremonies nationwide to provide veterans with a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin as a thank you from our nation.

“We are proud and honored to be a Commemorative Partner and to help recognize Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice to their country,” said Scott Mathis, Southwest Regional Veteran Executive at Humana and an Army Ranger veteran. “The Veterans Channel team at Humana is pleased to be able to honor these veterans and their families at commemorative events and thank them for all they have done on behalf of our nation.”

This year, Humana has distributed the commemorative pins to hundreds of veterans across the country at many events, including:

• Oklahoma History Center pinning ceremony on March 29 in Oklahoma City

• Rolling to Remember in Washington, D.C., during Memorial Day Weekend

• Heroes Honor Festival on May 28 in Daytona Beach, Florida

• Pinning ceremony at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16 in Fort Smith, Arkansas

• Commemorative ceremonies on Aug. 20 in Gulfport, Mississippi, and on Sept. 16 in Honolulu

• Stockton Ports Hats Off to Heroes Night on Sept. 3 in Stockton, California

Humana has conducted more than 80 pinning and proclamation ceremonies since 2017, and it will continue to sponsor these events to show its appreciation to Vietnam War-era veterans and provide the welcome home they have waited years to receive.

The Vietnam War Commemoration will continue through Nov. 11, 2025.